Somaliland: SOLJA Divided Over 5th Congress

HARGSA (Somalilandsun) – A storm is brewing within the Somaliland Journals Association-SOLJA over the on planning 5th national Congress.
The SOLJA leadership wrangles that have seen a factional split either in support of the chairman or secretary general are about to tear the organization asunder especially as exacerbated by the forthcoming 5th general assembly of the organization.

Though the tussle for power has been in existence for sometimes and underground at that conflicting statements from the two top honchos, Chairman and Secretary General, Hasan Mohamed Yusuf and Mohamed-Rashid Muhumed Farah are cause for worry as they, statements are contradictory thence placing the tri-annual congress being the fifth in jeopardy.
While the Secretary General had released an announcement pertaining to the appointment of a five member congress preparatory committee-PC and a call for action letter castigating SONSAF, the main Somaliland Non State actors Forum, the chairman disbursed a statement negating the composition of the PC that also reveals the disposal of his SG while at the same time apologizing to both local and international partners for the confusion emanating from his organization.
Ina letter attached to his statement and signed ” former chairman” Hasan wrote
Dear Partners and Friends
First and foremost, I would like to apologize you messages from SOLJA address that does not represent the views and consent of the organization but the my former secretary of SOLJA Mohamed Rashid has illegally made it as true falsification which I would like to sort out and regret anyone who receives such messages from the address of SOLJA.
Therefore, from now on this address solja.2003@gmail.com is the only official address of SOLJA. Again and again on behalf of previous SOLJA Executive members I would like to apologize all email subscribes obtained this wrong message, SOLJA term expired on 31 July 2014. In this regard the chairman has officially appointed a Preparatory Committee that was designated all responsibilities of the General Assembly see attached letters.
Best regards
Hassan Mohamed Yusuf
SOLJA former Chairman
Below is the official statement by SOLJA chairman Hasan Mohamed Yusuf on the congress preparatory committee and on the SG Scathing call for action on SONSAF
Ref /117/14 Date: 02 August 2014
Subject: SOLJ General Assembly Preparation
I would like to inform you that Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA) General Assembly preparation has been officially designated to the preparatory Committee appointed under the guidance and the authority of the chairman with consultation of the Executive members of SOLJA. On the other hand, the SOLJA General Assembly will be held on Aug- 21-22- 2014.
With due respect, I would also like to rectify the constitutional mistakes made by my former Secretary General Mr. Mohamed-Rashid Muhumed Farah who circulated emails across the local and international partners in order to create a confusion within the journalists where he also made some baseless accusations about SONSAF which respectively accepted our membership last year.
In this opportunity, I would like to apologize SONSAF which has made tremendous efforts how the media sector will have acceptable regulatory framework and set of capacities required; see attached the SONSAF position paper dated 05/06/2014.
Moreover, I’m writing to clarify you that SOLJA Executive members’ term has expired the on 31 July 2014. In this regard, on behalf of previous Executive members of SOLJA, we handed over the responsibility of the General Assembly to the Preparatory Committee; see the attached appointment letter.
Therefore, I would be highly recommending that all channels of communications both local and international must deal with the chairman of the Preparatory Committee Mr Mohamoud Abdi Jama (Xuuto) with following contact Telephone 002522-4194200. Waaheen001@hotmail.com. Thus, behalf of previous SOLJA Executive Committee, I would like inform you again that your participation, observation and assistances of the General Assembly would be highly welcomed and worthwhile.
Your sincerely
Hassan Mohamed Yusuf
Previous chair of SOLJA